Pueblo Del Mar Townhouses

One and two bedroom condos are comfortably furnished and with swimming pool, cable TV, A/C in the bedrooms, and more. You can enjoy the amenities of more expensive properties without the price tag. Just a 10 minute walk to the beach and downtown. Please email us to check on units available for long term rentals.

Sunset Hill Condos

Located just a short distance away from the beach and the center of Tamarindo these nicely furnished one and two bedroom condos offer plenty of amenities plus a great ocean view. With only 12 units, the complex works well for many long-term rentals in Tamarindo. Relax by the pool or enjoy a Tamarindo sunset from your own private balcony. Provided gated parking. Please email us to check on units available for long term rentals.

Private Homes

RPM offers several private homes for Long-term rentals in Tamarindo Costa Rica. These homes are highly sought after and rent quickly but occasionally will become available. Most of these homes are either 2 or 3 bedrooms and many of them come with a private pool. Please email us to check on units available for long term rentals.

Due to the limited selection of long-term rentals in Tamarindo Costa Rica, many real estate opportunities are available for those families looking to re-locate to Costa Rica. Please check out our real estate website for some excellent homes and opportunities to build your dream house in paradise.

When people think “Costa Rica” they think of three things: pristine beaches, prolific wildlife and colossal volcanoes.

Costa Rica is home to over 200 volcanic formations speckled throughout the country – most of them accompanied by piping hot springs and challenging hiking trails. Here’s a list of the top 5 most impressive volcanoes in Costa Rica in order of their proximity to Tamarindo (and recommendations on which ones are OK for day trips versus which ones require overnight stays).

(NOTE: I’ve included directions, but do yourself a favor and ignore them. Instead, rent a GPS along with your car and let it take you where you need to go.)

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

Rincon is one of only two volcanoes close enough to Tamarindo for a day trip. It’s an incredible place to hike, as there are boiling mud pots and loads of wildlife around every corner. There is so much to do here I couldn’t possibly list it all here.  Horseback riding, hot springs, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, tubing and pretty much anything else outdoors you could imagine. Talk to Lola at RPM about booking a tour. Keep in mind the park is closed on Mondays.

Directions: Drive north along the Pan American Highway past Liberia for 3 miles/5.8 km and turn right at the signs for Curubande/Rincón de la Vieja National Park/Las Pailas sector. Travel 8.6 miles/14 kilometers on a dirt road to the village of Curubande which is 8.5 miles/13.6 km away and continue in the same direction along the same road. Watch for signs to Rincón de la Vieja National Park/Las Pailas sector.

Miravalles Volcano

Miravalles is a fairly smooth 2-hour drive from Tamarindo (it’s definitely worthy of a day trip!). It’s about 45 minutes away from Liberia and 10 miles north of the small town of Bagaces. There aren’t really any EASY hiking trails, but if you really want to get crazy you can hire a guide to take you on a 9-hour round trip hike to the top. There are also some hot springs that are easy to reach by car, where you can soak in the thermal waters or rub soothing volcanic mud all over your body.

Directions: Take the Interamerican highway to Bagaces, then turn off to the right. Drive about 20 miles toward Guayabo until you see the signs for Miravalles.

Tenorio Volcano

Tenorio’s two craters and four volcanic cones are not nearly as impressive as the unbelievable celeste blue river running through the national park. This vibrant blue color is an effect caused by the sulfuric hot springs heated up by volcanic activity. The best time to visit is during dry season between February and May, when the river is at its best. It’s about a 2.5-3.5 hour drive from Tamarindo depending on road conditions and how fast you drive, so it’s best to make a visit to Tenorio National Park an overnight one.

Directions: Take a left in Villareal and drive until the road ends in Huacas. Take a right and follow the signs to Liberia (when you reach the main intersection at Belen you’ll take a left). Pass the Liberia international airport, which will be on your left. After 10 mi (16 km), in Liberia downtown, follow the signs to San Jose. Drive straight through until you get to the city of Cañas. About 6 miles after Cañas is a turnoff to Bijagua. About 20 miles past Bijagua, you will find the entrance to the Park.

Arenal Volcano

This is by far Costa Rica’s most famous volcano, and with good reason – it’s pretty much the iconic shape and size of what you’d expect a volcano to be. Plus, from 1968 to 2011 it used to erupt with hot lava each and every night. Now it mostly smolders as it’s considering not quite dormant, but “sleeping.” Arenal is definitely NOT a day trip from Tamarindo. You want to allow at least 2-3 nights in La Fortuna (the town next to Arenal) to really experience the area – perhaps even 4 or 5 nights if you want to really take your time.

Directions: From Tamarindo, drive to Huacas and onto Belen, through Liberia and on to Cañas. Follow signs to Tilaran and on to Arenal. Click here for more in-depth directions.

Poas Volcano

Poas is the no-brainer of all of Costa Rica’s volcanoes, particularly if you’re flying into the San Jose International Airport. It literally could not be easier to reach by car (however keep in mind it’s a 6-hour drive from Tamarindo, so plan on spending the night in the Central Valley!). Just drive to the parking lot, and walk less than 10 minutes along the perfectly level, well-kempt path to reach the neon-blue crater. Be sure to plan your trip as early as possible in the morning (I’m talking be ready and waiting the moment the park opens), otherwise it will probably be too foggy to see anything. It’s super windy there, so if you’re lucky you might end up with a funny family photo like this one!

Directions: From San Jose, take the highway to Alajuela. From there, take to road to Itiquis and Fraijanes, following the signs to the volcano.

Credits:

Blog by: Genna Marie

photo credit: Wha’ppen via photopin cc
photo credit: leivajd via photopin cc

Other photos by Genna Marie of Tamarindo Family Photos

The lure of the palm trees and the sound of the papagayo breeze led you here. Tamarindo Costa Rica, home of the howler monkeys and the leatherback turtles. Whether you’re family is into adventuring, sightseeing, or just relaxing: pura vida land has you covered.

For the thrill seekers, Tamarindo boasts various zipline courses where you can sail through the verdant hilltops beside the sloths and parrots. If that doesn’t quench your family’s thirst for adventure, you may also consider a family surf lesson or even a scuba diving tour!

If your family is more interested in sightseeing, Tamarindo offers various horseback riding tours, an excellent way to connect with nature while you explore it. Another worthwhile experience is a day trip to Rincón de la Vieja, the volcano nearest to Tamarindo, equipped with hotsprings and waterfalls alike!

For the more tranquilo families, Tamarindo also offers many opportunities to unwind. With countless spas and wellness centers, its large stretch of sandy beaches, and even an assortment of hidden tide pools. Tamarindo presents the inbreath that you deserve.

But where to stay in Tamarindo? It’s not easy finding hotel rooms that can comfortably accommodate your entire family and even less so at an affordable price. Fortunately, hotels are not your only option! Vacation rentals are the perfect alternative. Not only do they provide you and your family with privacy and security, but they also give you more bang for your buck. Instead of paying for a cramped room outfitted with two queen size beds, you’re looking at an open floor plan and a private pool, fully furnished with a kitchen and all! Click here to explore our options!

But as a couple, where is the best place in Costa Rica to vacation? While Puerto Viejo, Monteverde, and Jaco are all great vacation spots; Tamarindo, Guanacaste takes the cake.

Puerto viejo offers palm trees and surfing. Monteverde’s known for its wildlife and canopy tours. Jaco is famous for its beaches and nightlife…but Tamarindo has it all. From surf camps to zipline tours to clubs and bars, there is truly no better place to enjoy time with your loved one.

Tamarindo is as practical as it is inviting. Instead of having to fly into the capital San Jose, you can fly into the recently remodeled Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, which is only a 45 minute paved (which can be a rarity) drive away! Furthermore, as it is located on the pacific coast at about 10 degrees above the equator, we are sheltered from hurricanes, which form at higher latitudes, where the coriolis force is stronger and on the caribbean side.  

As we near the end of rainy season, there has never been a more ideal time to vacation. The fields are still green, the crowds are minimal, and the sunny skies constant.

The final step to planning a romantic getaway in Costa Rica, is choosing the perfect place to stay. We offer a wide selection of cottages, condos and suites, both long-term and short-term so that you can hand pick your vacation home to fulfill your desires. Head here for easy booking.

Congratulations – you’ve successfully planned a family vacation to Costa Rica! Your tickets are purchased, your tours are booked and your bags are packed. But…maybe you’ve spent a bit more money than you would have liked.

It’s OK. It happens.

Luckily, there are plenty of free (or almost free) things to do in with kids in Tamarindo that are super fun and family friendly! Here are 8 of RPM’s favorite inexpensive things to do for families with kids in Tamarindo.

Boogie Boarding

Boogie boarding (or beginner surfing) the calm waves in front of Hotel Capitan Suizo is one of the best, almost-free activities in Tamarindo. You can rent a boogie board for $10 per half-day (or $15 for a full day) practically anywhere in town – just walk around and you’ll find somewhere (Iguana Surf, Kelly’s Surf Shop, Witches Rock Surf Camp to name a few). Surf boards typically rent for about $25 per day (you’ll probably need to leave a credit card at the shop as a guarantee that you’ll bring it back!).

Mini Golf & La Baula Pizza

Bolas Locas Mini Golf in Tamarindo is perfect for some fun, inexpensive family entertainment. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, La Baula pizzeria is practically right next door – with a great swing set and play area where the kids can run around while they wait for dinner. In high season, fire dancers put on a show at the restaurant just after dark. On your way home, hit up the Italian gelato place right around the corner (or the new one in nearby Plaza Conchal) for a mini golf-dinner-ice cream trifecta.

Playa Tamarindo/Playa Grande Estuary

Walk to the north end of Tamarindo beach (near Panga’s Restaurant) and hop on one of the little boats that ferry people from one side of the estuary to the other. This is a really fun 2-minute boat ride that takes you to Playa Grande, where you can swim, explore and walk around. Sometimes you’ll even see mangrove birds and animals you might see on a paid kayak/estuary tour. It only costs $1 per person each way – Tamarindo doesn’t get much cheaper than that!

Jaime Peligro Books

Jaime Peligro Bookstore is a great place to go and read childrens books! It’s right next to Cafe Tico, arguably the best cafe in town, so parents can grab a latte while the kids entertain themselves via reading.

Monkey N’ Croc Toy Store

This fun little toy store is in the same plaza as the Sunrise condominiums. Admittedly, this venture could quickly turn into a not-so-inexpensive activity depending on how good your kids are at suckering you into buying them toys; but you’re sure to have a good time there!

Tamarindo Farmer’s Market

This lively little market happens every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm. Local food vendors and artisans gather together to sell handmade products at the little square near the Pescador beach entrance.

Langosta Estuary

The estuary in Langosta is super fun to cross at low tide with a picnic lunch. The other side is completely devoid of development until you hit Hacienda Pinilla on the far end. Just be sure to pay attention to the tide or you might have to swim back. The water rises quickly! Click here to see tide charts by month.

Bonfires at Witches Rock Surf Camp

On the weekends (especially during high season), Witches Rock Surf Camp usually makes a bonfire on the beach in front of the surf camp. They normally happen on Saturdays and Sundays starting at about 5pm, so you can watch the sunset and then stay on into the night. Kids love bonfires!

Credits:

Blog by: Genna Marie

All Photos by: Genna Marie of Tamarindo Family Photos

Sitting just across the street from the beach, the 5 unit villa complex, Casa Blanca vacation rentals offer great amenities at a perfect location for your Tamarindo Costa Rica vacation. Each unit is unique and surrounded by a large tropical garden and wonderful pool.

Please check out the availability and book you Casa Blanca vacation rental today. 

With a small Mediterranean Village flavor, this lovely 5 home 2-3 bedroom complex is in a gated development that resembles a private estate. It is perfectly located just a short 100 yards from the beach and four blocks from the center of Tamarindo Costa Rica. This a perfect location for families, a guys/girls surf trip.

Casa Blanca is a small cluster of 5 cottages/condominiums just across the street from the sandy southern end of Tamarindo beach. The buildings are masked by trees and an abundance of large tropical plants so that just meters from the road is a secret little Eden shrouded in quiet. All of Casa Blanca’s units sit in a circle facing a central area that features a large pool and common deck area with lounge chairs and full barbeque facilities. The pool and its surroundings are communicated with the parking area and the outside world by a unique stone bridge that arches over a corner of the pool.

The great thing about the Casa Blanca Beach Cottage is the fact that the beach is just across the street. It’s is an ideal spot for surfers, nature lovers, and families who want the quiet of a garden cottage just steps away from one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of beach.

Inside each of the units, are well appointed kitchens, living areas and bedrooms. The units are 2 and 3 bedroom units that are each individually designed and cared for by there owners. RPM manages these units and several are available for rent. Please check out the availability and book you Casa Blanca vacation rental today. 

Located just across street from the beach. Sunrise Condos are a great choice for families looking for easy access to a great family friendly pool and sandy beach.

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The Sunrise2-3 bedroom condominium complex is a Spanish, hacienda style design featuring 24-hour security, secure parking and an oversized pool. In the heart of Tamarindo it’s just a few steps from the beach. A great family vacation complex.

The condos are located in the heart of Tamarindo, steps from the beach, with wonderful ocean views. The units come with central air, cable TV, full kitchen, shared swimming pool. The building is 4 stories tall and offer easy access to each unit via an elevator or stairs.

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Each unit offers a private balcony with most units providing wonderful views of the pool and ocean. The bedrooms are spacious and well equipped with comfortable beds and linens.

The units are prepared for your arrival with a maintenance check and full clean. During a weeklong stay a maid will come at least once to clean the unit and additional cleanings can be requested through our office as well. Our wonderful staff is always available to assist you with your vacation rental and activities to enjoy during your vacation such as sailing, zip-lining, and sportfishing. We can also help you with restaurant recommendations.

Renting a condo at Sunrise offers families great amenities and location for a great price. This complex is definitely one of the best values in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. We look forward to helping you plan a fantastic vacation to Costa Rica and booking your stay at Sunrise Condos.

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This past week my wife and I took a day trip to Rincon de la Vieja Costa Rica. Rincon de la vieja national park is located about 2 hours from Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Rincon de la vieja national park contains one of the six active volcanos in Costa Rica. It most recently erupted in September 2011. It was a really small eruption! The area is beautiful and the summit of the volcano reaches up to 6,286 ft above sea level. The park covers 34,000 acres and contains both montane forests and dwarf cloud forests. It’s a great day trip from Tamarindo to experience typically cooler temperatures and a diverse landscape.

Once we arrived to the park, we signed in at the ranger station and paid our daily use fee. ($15 for adults / cheaper if you are a Costa Rican resident). The welcome area is going through a re-model with a new parking area and visitor center under construction and they expect to be done in 2016. The attendant provided us with some ideas for a day hike and pointed us in the right direction.

We followed the trail that took us to three great sites, steam vents, boiling mud pits, and a hot spring feed river. The hike was moderate and took us about 2 hours. During the hike we saw some great views and an amazing assortment of plants and birds.

At one point you walk out of the forest into a clearing looking over the gorgeous valley back towards the Pacific ocean. Throughout the valley steam is rising out of vents in the ground giving us a surreal experience we will not forget.

Don’t touch, it is hot!

The trip was a great experience and my wife and I will definitely return when we need a break from the gorgeous beaches of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Things to bring:

• Sunscreen
• Hiking shoes (I forgot mine and wore flip flops, not the best idea!)
• Water and food
• Bug Spray
• Rain protection

Tour options:

Rincon De La Vieja is a great addition to your vacation to Tamarindo, Costa Rica and offers more than just a day hike. There are several companies and tour operators that RPM Vacation Rentals works with and suggests. These tours can include additional items such as zip-lining, horseback riding, water slides, hot springs, and mud baths. Please stop by our offices or email us about guided tours and transportation to Rincon De La Vieja.

How to get there:

The drive from Tamarindo is mostly on paved road with the last 20 minutes being on a typically well graded dirt road. A car or 4×4 can easily make the trip.  The signs are clearly marked for Costa Rica standards and we typically drive to the last parking lot.

The fall is absolutely beautiful here in Costa Rica. In the Northern Pacific coast of Guanacaste, the sun is shining most days and the landscape and beaches offer incredible views of immense beauty. The crowds are so much thinner and the deals your can get for your fall break vacation to Costa Rica are incredible!

Just today, I found some great flight deals from Denver to Liberia, Costa Rica which is only an hour away from beautiful Tamarindo for less than $500.

Top 10 reasons to plan a fall break vacation in Costa Rica

10. The country will have no snow guaranteed!

9.   The water in the ocean is still warm!

8.   Your kids have gotten off to a great start in school. Reward the family with a relaxing fall break vacation!

7.  The sunsets are incredible

6.  El Nino – It may be rainy season but right now we are not getting much rain which means sunny days and rain at night.

5. Empty Beaches

4. Great flight deals

3. Luxury houses at Low Season Prices 20% discounts on stays till November 15.

2. You know you have always wanted to learn to surf!

And the Number 1 reason to visit:

IT SURE BEATS WORK OR SCHOOL

Come visit us during Fall Break this year and stay in one of our privately owned houses or condos. We have an excellent selection of properties to choose from for a romantic getaway or a epic family fall break vacation in Costa Rica. If your stay is before November 15, 2015 nearly all properties will also offer a 20% discount on already discounted low season rates.

Many of our guests visit us and ask us what can we do for a week in Tamarindo Costa Rica? Tamarindo Costa Rica is one of the most popular towns on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica with great weather year round. Even during the “rainy season” most days start off sunny and end with an afternoon or evening rain storm. Come down anytime of the year and enjoy a great week in Tamarindo Costa Rica. Take an additional 10% off Low season rates if you visit us by November 15, 2015. 

Day 1 – Plan your flight into Liberia International Airport so you are only a little over an hour a way from Tamarindo. Have one of our private taxi’s pick you up and drive you to your comfortable condo or private home with a pool right in Tamarindo or nearby Playa Langosta. Get yourself unpacked and enjoy a sunset walk on the beach. Enjoy a quick dinner at a nearby restaurant or stop by Auto Mercado on your way in to pick up some groceries and a quick meal to cook.

Day 2 – Wake up and listen…Most likely all you will hear is nature and very little human noise. You might hear howler monkeys, parrots, and the waves crashing on the beach. After a leisurely morning, take a walk around town and on the beach. Tamarindo is easy to walk and there are many shops and restaurants to visit for a gift or a nice cocktail. If you are looking for a little more activity, stop by a local surf shop and rent a surfboard and sign up for surf lessons. RPM can also set you with private surf lessons for the whole family with great instructors.

Day 3-5 – Take some great tours that are perfect for you and your family for taking pictures and making all your friends back home jealous as you post a vacation of a lifetime on Instagram.

Tour Options and packages

Sailing
Charter a private sailing yacht with Serendipity charters. Serendipity is a 50ft sailing yacht that will pick you up and take you sailing for the afternoon, stopping to do some snorkeling and enjoy a great meal. Sail back during sunset. For groups up to 12 people, this is a great option for a private experience with your family and friends.

Similar to Serendipity, hop on one of the local catamaran tours. These catamarans are a great option for you to experience Tamarindo bay and some hidden bays for snorkeling. You’ll also get to make great friendships with the others on the boat often resulting in dancing on the way back during sunset!

Canopy/Zip-lining
A week in Tamarindo Costa Rica is not complete without a zip-lining experience through the Guanacaste forrests. Depending on the season of your visit, you will be zipping through a green jungle canopy or through a dry forrest with incredible views. Pura Adventura will pick you up at your luxury house or condo and take you to their farm where you will drive up a mountainside and zip down 13 zips!

Sportfishing
Tamarindo offers some incredible sport-fishing in the area with guests frequently reeling in Dorado, Marlin, and Sailfish. Your captain will meet you on the beach in the morning and take you out for a half day, 3/4 day, or full day. Come back with the fresh catch of the day and cook it at home or have many of the great restaurants prepare it for you. We recommend taking it to Noguis or Seasons restaurant.

Surf lessons / Surf Trip
Originally a little surfing village, Tamarindo holds onto its roots with some great surf shops that offer excellent surfing lessons and trips to world famous Witches Rock and Ollie’s Point. Surf the same spots made famous from the movie the Endless Summer. One of the stars of the movie, Robert August, makes Tamarindo his home throughout the year.

Wildlife tour
Have one of our private drivers and tour guides pick you at your property and take you to Palo Verde where you will see all sorts of birds, giant iguanas, crocodiles, and more times than not a white face monkey will want to join your tour and hang out on the covered boat with you.

Day 6

Relax and reflect on an incredible couple of days and maybe order up a second round of sailing, zip-lining, or just relaxing on the beach. Continue to keep your friends jealous with an incredible sunset family photo session with Tamarindo Family Photos. Enjoy a final night with a great meal at your favorite restaurant such as Seasons, Patagonia, or Surf Shack Burgers and Wings and then enjoy music at one of the local nightclubs like Sharky’s or beach bars.

Day 7

It’s really quite simple, ask one of our great concierges to call your boss explaining you have come down with a strange tropical virus and will have to stay for another week!

RPM Vacation Rentals offers over 150 vacation rentals to make your week in Tamarindo Costa Rica great. Our staff can help you plan everything including private chefs, restaurant recommendations, and tours.